USA > Pennsylvania > Historical notes relating to the Pennsylvania Reformed Church, V. I > Part 16
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In the rear of the Wasserkirche, in an open space in the heart of the town, is the bronze statue recently created to the memory of Ulric Zwingli. It is a figure of heroic size, and represents the Ro- former in standing posture, with uplifted face, his right hand holding a clasped Bible, his left grasping and resting upon a great sword. It is a fine conception, and instantly calls to mind his valiant efforts for man's deliverance from ecclesi- astical and civil enthrallent and his heroic death upon the field of battle in defence of the gospel brought by Christ. The Wasserkirche is now the city library of Zurich. In it are kept many rare books and manuscripts, which the visitor may sce. A Greek Bible, containing notes made by Zwingh, is on exhibition there. A letter from Zwingli to his wife in 1528 is also preserved. It is signed Huldriych Zwingh. Beneath the signa- ture he wrote "schick mir so bald du kanst den tolggen rock" -send me as soon
as you can my house coat. This post- script recalls the request of Paul from the Mammertine prison in Rome to Timothy: The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus. when thon comest, bring with thee.
The museum, remarkable for its collec- tion of relics of the Lake Dwellers of pre- historic times, possesses great interest.
The views from the Hohe Promenade. and other high points, are charming. On clear days the snow-capped Alpine ranges can be seen distinctly. Many points of interest to the Reformed traveller cluster in the vicinity of Zurich, among them, Wildhans, Glarus, Einsiedeln and Cappel.
In the City Library is a book of local Heraldry, entitled Geschlechtsbuch, in which are collected the coats-of-arms of the burghers or citizens of the canton and city of Zurich. It is not a printed book. It is hand-made, and of course the only copy in existence. The names and arms of many well-known Pennsyl- vania families appear therein.
It may be interesting to quote some of preached and beside it his grave, the lat- the numerous tablets affixed to the walls ter marked by a stone bearing the words: of notable building about the city. I. C. Lavaters Grab, Geb. 15 Nov. 1741, Gest. 21 An. 1801.
ZWINGLIPLATZ 4 : Das Pfarrhans zum Grossmunster. Vor der Reformation Antswohnung des Custos der Probatei, seit 1596 des Antistes der züricherischen Kirche. Heinrich Bullinger
und seiner Nachfolger bis IS3. SPIEGELGASSE 11 : Das Haus anm Waldries. Hier wohnte von 1741-1775 Joh. Caspar Lavater, bei dem sich 1775 Goethe anthich. KIRCHCASE 13: Zwinglis Amtswohnung Von diesem Hanse zog er ant 11. Oktober 1531 mit dem Heere der Zürcher nach Kappel aus, wo er für seinen Glauben starb.
Translation : No. 13 Church street. Zwingli's official residence. From this house he marched, October 11, 1531, with the army of Zurich to Cappel, where he died for his faith.
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
Dual Letter from Wittgenstein, May 31, 1773.
WRITTEN BY SEBASTIAN AND JOHN HOMRIGHAUSEN TO THEIR BROTHER-IN- LAW, REV. JOHN PHILIP LEYDICH.
The letter has this address:
A Monsieur Johann Ph. Leydich ad Friedrich Township à Phyladelphia County Pfarrer daselbst Eigenhändig abzugeben.
The original of this interesting letter was found by Professor W. J. Hinke, of Philadelphia, among the papers of the late Reverend William Helffrich, D. D. We can offer no explanation as to how the letter found its way into the Helffrich papers. The genealogical information, given in the letter, can best be presented in the following summary:
I. Sebastian Homrighausen, living at Diedentzhausen. His children:
1. Maria Magdalena, married at Christhaus. Her children: Two sons and two daughters.
2. Catrina Elisabeth, married at Kriegerhaus. One daughter.
3. Ama Elisabeth.
4. Johannes.
5. Georg Wilhelm.
6. Johann Georg.
7. Hanna Wilhelmina. Born 1766.
living at home with their father, all single.
II. Johannes Homrighausen. a widower in 1773 at Diedentzhausen.
1. Son, married, living with his father. His children:
a. The oldest had died.
b. A son and a daughter, still living.
2. Son, married, living at Berleburg, a school teacher.
3. Son, married,
4. Son, single.
..
5. Daughter, single. 1 both living at home.
III. A sister, married at Wunderthausen. Having one married daughter and a grandson.
The letter also refers to Maria Catharina Homrighausen, the wife of Reverend Leydich and to two married sisters, Elisabeth Gertrude Hom- righausen and Maria Magdalena Homrighausen, living in Pennsylvania, after whom two of the daughters of Reverend Leydich were named.
TRANSLATION OF THE LETTER.
The grace of God and Christ Jesus, our Mediator and Saviour, be with you and us, in our hearts, minds and thoughts, living and dying, over our consolation. Amen.
With wishes for every good, dear brother-in-law, sister-in-law, sisters, . children and all blood relatives, first of all I wish you all God's grace and blessing.
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
If these few lines meet you in the enjoyment of good health, they will speak to you from true and sincere hearts, and kiss and embrace you all with rejoicing love. It pleased us much to see and learn from the letter which you wrote us in the Spring that you are still living and well; and particularly that our dear brother-in-law and sister, Maria Catharine, in their old age, are comfortably continuing housekeeping and living de- lightfully among their dear children. Concerning sister Elisabeth Ger- trude and sister Maria Magdalena we could not feel tims gratified, because we were not informed how many children they have, or whether they live in comfort, whether they are happily married, and how far they reside from each other, and whether they can visit each other in affliction and sorrow; for after sunshine comes rain, and after rain sunshine. Wedlock has its changes. When all else fails, a life of joy in the Lord is best.
As for ourselves, we are still, thank God, all hearty and well; we also live in comfort with our children, and have not relinquished our home. We have still with us three sons and two daughters, and two daughters have married. Our eldest daughter, Maria Magdalena, in Christhaus, has two daughters and two sons, and our Catharine Elisabeth, in Kriegerhans. has one daughter. My sister, Anna Elizabeth, at Wunderthausen, and her husband and their daughter, are also well, and their daughter also has an heir; and they intend building a new barn this Spring. Our ruler. Prince of Witgenstein-Berleburg, has died, as has also his consort, and we have now a young proprietor; but we are still under severe burdens and an unquiet life; and the contention is not yet over, and who knows when it will come to an end?
Dieleman died this Spring and his wife last year, and he bequeathed his house and estate in Christhaus to one, but the other relatives will contest; but what the result will be I know not. Our barn and house on the clearing-the large new house-was burnt in the Spring; it took fire at the lower part one Sunday, and burnt the roof of Krieger's smithy, and also burnt a hole in the roof of the house, but Almighty God checked the flames, otherwise we should have lost everything.
When the messenger reaches you he can tell you everything, how matters stand here and around us. More I will not write at this time.
With many thousand salutations from myself, and my beloved house- wife, and my dear children and sons-in-law, and with greetings from me for my dear sisters, and brothers-in-law, and all relatives, and good ac- (paintances. Fcommend you all to the care and protection of the Most High. Adiou.
I must mention that we had here this Spring a terribly deep show. which lay four to five days, and longer. Greet for me also Henry Benner from Allentshausen, formerly from Zimmern, and all good acquaintances. Johannes Dienst and his wife, of Wunderthausen in Liende Hans, also. desire to send many salutations to brother-in-law and his wife and children.
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
iş!
N. B. I.must request you, if it can be arranged, [to employ] the lad : who takes this letter. His name is John Justus Bäste. He is one of the survivors of the Böhre Willm; and he and his brother have from their youth up made their home with us. His brother Williain has learned the tailor trade. They have been with us some fifteen or sixteen years, and they are faithful, and I cannot perceive that they have taken any- thing. He [the lad] would like to be your servant. If you will kindly free him from the ship [by paying his passage], he will serve you as long as you desire. He would like to remain with our family: He is good at plowing, and mowing, and chopping, and hewing, and threshing; but sowing he has not tried. If you give him half a chance, he will accept it. He is a poor orphan child, who has neither father nor inother. We ask your sympathy for him. And the small one, if he could get employment with a tailor, he could also work.
With many thousand greetings from us all to laige and small, young and old, and committing you, old and young, to the care of God and His grace. Adieu.
I remain your faithful brother and brother-in-law unto death,
SEBASTIAN HOMRIGHAUSEN.
Dated Diedentzhausen, Bist May, 1773.
Lightning struck at Klein Klattebach, in this month of May, 1779. and six houses and six barns were burned.
N. B. 1, John Homrighausen, and all my children, wish you much success, and blessing, and the grace of God. and the comforting help of Jesus in body and soul. God grant that these few lines may find you enjoying life. This will be a gratification to me. As regards myself. I and my family are, God be praised, hearty and well. I am now an old widower. My eldest son, who is married, has tivo children, a son and a daughter. His eldest children died; two have gone to Berleburg. ·1 (son ) has the girls' school, and also is the chorister in the church. Francis has gone to Bächershaus; and another, unmarried, I have with me; and the youngest is a daughter. They all learned the trade of tailoring. Now, salute for me all my sisters, brothers-in-law, and all their children .. I intrust yon all together to the care of God and Ilis favor. Ámen.
I remain your faithful brother and brother-in-law unto death,
JOHANNES HOMBIGHAUSEN.
Diedentzhausen,
31st of May, 1773.
Sebastian Homrighausen. 1 call to mind something more: the names of the children which I still have living with me. The ellest is a daugh- ter; her name is Anna Elizabeth, and the oldest son's name is John; and the other George William; the third, John George; and the youngest is a
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
daughter, named Hanna Mina (Wilhelmina), for whom our pastor's daughter was sponsor at baptism; is seven years old. We are prosperous; we have all we need in this life. May God give us eternal life.
Dear brother-in-law and sisters, we may not see you again in this earthly life. May the Almighty God in His merey grant us all His favor and His Holy Spirit, to guide us, control us, and lead us into smooth pathways.
O, Lord, show us Thy ways, teach us Thy paths, guide us in the truth, and enlighten us. Amen.
N. B. If God had not averted the chastisement of fire we should all have been obliged to come [to Pennsylvania ?]. To God be praise and thanksgiving for this.
Holland and Pennsylvania.
HOLLAND'S CARE OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN PENNSYLVANIA.
At what precise date the national church of the Netherlands began to manifest a care for the destitute colonists in Pennsylvania may be im- possible to determine. It was engaged in great missionary undertakings long before Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn. Having passed through the bloody persecutions of the Spanish inquisition, the people of the Netherlands, with the zeal born of suffering from tyranny, devoted a generous portion of their wealth to the support of struggling Protestants in widely-separated parts of the globe.
Holland became familiar with the migration to Pennsylvania at its very start. Our historians have told us, over and over again, of William Penn's visits to Holland to preach Quakerism, and the subsequent meas- ures by himself and friends to induce emigration from that country to the new province. A few Hollanders came in the beginning. But that pen- ple for some cause did not look with favor upon Pennsylvania as a dwell- ing place, and the total number of them who came to make their homes here, in the colonial times and since, is inconsiderable.
'Germany mainly furnished the colonists essential to the making of a great commonwealth-the realization of the dreams of the Quaker founder. Its people, oppressed by religious persecution and impoverished by cease- less wars, saw in Pennsylvania a happy refuge. And next to them the Swiss. These two hardy nationalities by thousands and tens of thousands made their way to the New Land. Among those who sought to better their fortunes in Pennsylvania were many descendants of Huguenots who had been driven generations before from their native France and had found homes in Holland and Germany.
These multitudes made their way to Holland to find ships to convey them to America. Down the Rhine to the seaports they came. Rotter-
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ITISTORICAL NOTES.
. dam and the other towns swarmed with emigrants bound for Pennsyl- vania. Thus, Holland, though not a participant in the hegira, had much to do with its conduct, and was entirely familiar with its progress.
Were the newspapers of that day at hand, we should doubtless find frequent references to the incidents which marked the passage of the emi- grants through Rotterdam. Unfortunately few have been preserved. Only partial files of the Courant for 1720 and 1738 are to be found at this day. But if the newspapers fail us, the minutes of the Synods of the Church and the proceedings of the law-making assemblies come to our aid.
The people of Holland had kept before them the Pennsylvania colony in another way. Besides the records of the Church and the State, and the sight of emigrants passing through the country, pamphlets were printed and circulated advertising the province of Pennsylvania. Benja- min Furly, a friend of Penn, an Englishman, a merchant in Rotterdam, took pains to keep it before the Dutch public. He owned large trac s of land in Pennsylvania, which he was desirous of selling, and as a conse- quence he was a promoter of emigration thither to the extent of his influ- once. In Amsterdam and elsewhere in Holland were merchants and others engaged in the same business. As is well-known, Penn, Pastorius and others were early in the field with literature calculated to stimulate emigration. William Penn's Letter to the members of the Free Society of Traders of Pennsylvania, residing in London, was one of the pamphlets showing in strong colors the advantages to settlers of the Province. A translation was issued in Holland. The second edition of this letter, issued at Amsterdam, in 1684 (twenty-eight pages), has a four-page introduction written by Benjamin Furly and dated Rotterdam, 6th of Third month, 1684. And a postscript was added at the end of the pam- phlet as follows (translated; :
1
Since receipt of the Letter here printed, other letters have arrived in England, from the Governor, dated Noveraber 10, 1683, Holland Style. giving further advices of the prosperous progress of the Province, and that in the past month five ships had arrived. of which that by which so many people from Crefeld and the nearby places in Meurs-land sailed was one. Closing with this, I remain, your affectionate friend. BENJAMIN FURLY.
The church system of Protestant Germany two centuries ago was so unlike that which prevails in the United States in our time, that some notice must be taken of the wide difference. In the Fatherland the churches were supported and controlled by the government-the royalty. the mobility and their instruments. The government provided the house of worship, the minister to preach the Gospel, the schoolmaster to teach the children in the established doctrine. The church was a part of the government. In infancy all children were baptized, and at proper age all young persons became members of the church. The means of grace came to the people as a matter of course, without aet or thought on their part.
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
One church building in a town served for all, and to it all betook thezn- selves at stated times for worship. To us this looks like a mechanical system, void of vitality, little calculated to develop zeal in the cause of Christianity. Under this system the Reformed and Lutheran people were trained.
When the German church people came into Pennsylvania they were .confronted by different conditions as to ecclesiastical affairs. Here was no established church; here all were free to worship as conscience die- tated; here all must themselves provide for their religious wants. The Church people, too poor to bring ministers with them and too poor to support them here, stood aghast when they realized that now they were without spiritual monitors. Here were no churches to receive them, no ministers to lead them, no officers to perform the familiar functions. The accustomed Sunday sermon, the periodical celebration of the Lord's Supper, the baptism of the children, the instruction in the Catechism, the solemnization of marriage, the Christian burial of the dead-to whom could they look for these ministrations? Strangers, in a "wilderness land," unhappy was their lot. Sheep without a shepherd, they felt themselves indeed to be.
Probably the first circumstance which brought the Pennsylvania Reformed Church distinctly to the attention, officially, of the Holland Church authorities was the request to Amsterdam Classis to authorize the New York Reformed clergymen to ordain John Philip Bachm to the regu- lar ministry. This was in 1728. The Amsterdam ceclesiastical body granted the desired authority, with the proviso that the congregations in Pennsylvania become subject to the Holland Church. Thus began the official intercourse between the Pennsylvania and Holland Churches, and here began the sustentation of the destitute congregations in the new province by the wealthy establishment of Holland.
( To be Continued. )
WITH THE STAVE AND 'SHINGLE MAKERS.
Our first half day was spent with the stave and shingle makers, who are just now engaged on a job near us. There is something exceedingly delightful in this kind of out-door work. Just think of being thus quietly imbedded in the deep green woods, or ensconced in a shady nook along the tranquil mountain side. The sunlight falls charmingly through the . gently waving branches of the trees and plays upon the ground. The very smell of left wood is pleasant as spices. Then through vista of parted tree tops you get a glimpse of the open country lying like variegated mosaie beneath you, and extending out to the distant horizon.
-HENRY HARBAUGH.
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
Ruf3%
Philadelphia Reformed Church Records.
Jacob Hiltzheimer took an active interest in the affairs of the German Reformed Church of Philadelphia while he was an officer. He made memoranda of the financial transactions of the congregation. Some of these were printed in a former number of Historical Notes. He kept also, in another book, a record of the various resolves of the Board of Cor- poration having reference to the welfare of the congregation. The latter book bears the title on the inside of the first cover:
Memorandum book Belonging to the Vestry of the German Reformed Congregation of Philadelphia. January, 1784. Kept by Jacob Hiltzheimer, one of the Elders of said Vestry.
This book of record has been preserved in the Hiltzheimer family for more than a hundred years. A few years ago it was restored to the con- gregation, which now worships at Tenth and Wallace streets. Extraets from this interesting record follow:
1784 January 5
The Vestry agreed that the Instruction of Children in the Catechism on Sunday afternoons shall Cease untill the first Sunday after Easter Next, and then to begin again. The above was done with a View to bring more People to Church in the afternoons.
January 26 Family Pows have been Proposed by several Members but it was Thought Necessary to Consult the Congregation at Large. before anything Farther be done in it.
May 19
At a Meeting of the Vestry at the School House it was agreed that William Lohman & Jacob Hiltzheimer call on Abraham Peters Concerning the care of our Burial Ground. The 30"h of s4 Month we made our Report to sd Vestry: Toll said Peters that he is to keep up the fence of s" ground, the Vestry finding Materials, and that he is not to Claim the Grass farther than that that is on the west side of the Walk; to all of which he agreed.
1785 January 3
At the meeting 34 day of January, Mr. Peter Cooper handed to the Vestry a List of 105 Persons Names that Subscribed towards the 3 glass Candle sticks and Sundrys belonging to them, that was put up in our Church in August last.
The Different Sums pa out of the Subscription money For 3 Candle Sticks or Branches €25 0 0
To John Rutter for painting & gikling 10
For Carving the Pine Apple 4 4 0 To Godfrey Goebler for the Iron Rods : 11 1
To Daniel Beakley to put on Roses
£44 12 10
The Several Sums Subscribed Amountingto 44 3 9
Balance € 0 9 1
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
January 24 It was agreed that Andrew Hertzog & Jacob Reb- sam be a Committee to wait on W". Peltz and with him Settle the Subscription book concerning the House Purchased by the Vestry, where the Reverend M. Weiberg Now Lives, in Race Street, and make their report at the Next Quarterly Meeting.
April 2
It was agreed that Poter Schmitt & William Lohman Plant in the Churchyard the 4 Locust Trees that was Brought to Town by the sd P. Schmitt for that Purpose.
Octor. 30th It was agreed to have a Number of Posts put along Race Street, fronting our Burial Ground and Jacob Hiltz- heimer was appointed to see it done, and Likewise to get the Bridge in said B. Ground Repaired.
1786 Octor. 2
It was agreed that the Rey". W. Weiberg be Furnished with Twelve Cords of Wood a year, one half to be Hickory.
1787 Jan. 22
At a full meeting of the Vestry Twenty four shillings & 4d. was taken out of the Charity Box and delivered to Mr. Etres being the sum he paid for Hanling Wood to Sundry poor Per- sons of our Congregation, £1 4 4.
1788 January 28th
It was agreed that Peter Loch have the grass in the grave yard again the ensuing Season for Six pounds.
At the same time a Member moved to have a Stove or Stoves put up in our Church carly Next Winter, Provided our Treas- try will admit of the Expense at the time Mentioned. The Question being put 10 members for the measure and 4 against it.
March 20
About this time our Vestry had thought to Petition the House of Assembly again concerning part of the Square be- tween Race & Vine Streets, and between 60 & 7" Streets ad- joining our graveyard, on that acco' we looked up our Papers of a former Application, four in Number. The I a piece of Writing Signed Tho. Pen in the year 1741 ordering the Sur- veyor General to Survey to the Congregation a piece of ground, we now occupy, part of the square above Ment in length N. & S. 306 feet, E. & W. 150 feet.
24. A Copy of the Petition from the Vestry to the house of Assembly which was read the 1" time 26" Novem' 1782; the second time the 30th of said month and referred to the City Members.
34. Their report thereon.
4th. Wr. Bradford Esq"s Opinion Jel' 1783 who says that the Citizens of Philad" have no right in the Square but that it was the Property of the Proprietary' before the Revolution and now Vested to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
These 4 Papers are amongst others in the Vestry Room.
1788
June 8
The Vestry agreed That Mr. Freitag, our Schoolmaster. be directed to Instruct the youths in the Catechism in Stead of Mr. Weiberg every Sunday in the afternoon about an half hour before the usual time of church setting in. W. Freitag at the same time was told to make a beginning Next Sunday.
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HISTORICAL NOTES.
Decr. 29
Vestry took under their Consideration a Resolve of the 28" of January Last concerning the Stoves being put up in our church. It was unanimously agreed that Mes: Ozeas, Gocbler, Frelich and Esler be a Committee to contract for the Stoves and have them put up in the Church as soon as Possible.
1789 January 5
Agreed that John Schenk Blow the Bellowses of the Organ for which he is to receive £1 a year, to commence this day.
Marriages by Rev. George Wack.
COMMUNICATED BY W. H. REED, PH. G., M. D., OF NORRISTOWN.
( Continued. )
1827.
397. January
7. Eleaser Sellers and Elizabeth Sheib.
. 398. January 10. Valentine Wartz and Hannah Signs.
399. January 30. Mathias Rittenhause and Cathrine Godwals.
400. January 30. John Cohl and Mary Keel.
401. February 15. Sam. B. Davis and Margareth Leighteap (wid. )
402. February 15. James McBrian and Hannah Hartel.
403. March
15. John Yerkes and Cathrine Dull.
404. March
26. John Wilson and Mary Rees.
405. March
29. Jesse Kneesel and Eliza Henois.
406. April
10. Harmon Hendrix and Rachel Met%.
407. Junc 5. William Hartranf and Margareth Adams.
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